| Name | Age | Sex | Injuries | Injured areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campbell, Dale | 18 | Male | Not recorded | Not recorded |
On Thursday, September 20 at about 9:30 p.m., Dale Campbell Randy Welch (18) entered Perkins Cave near Montreal, Missouri for a couple of hours of exploration. After 2 1/2 hours they were about a half mile into the maze cave when their only flashlight began to fail. They started out but after another half hour the dimming flashlight failed completely. They tried to continue with cigarette lighters but these also failed and they were left in the dark. Occasionally they would sleep or move about in an attempt to keep warm. Time passed. The cavers began to lose hope. Meanwhile, the fall meeting of the Middle-Mississippi Valley Region of the NSS was going on not far away. Three cavers, desiring an interesting cave to explore were directed to Perkins Cave. On Sunday, they went to the cave and were exploring when their talking was heard by the lost cavers who yelled to attract their attention. The rescuers gave the lost cavers some food and water and led them out. It was reported that others had searched part of the cave for the lost boys earlier using dogs.
Analysis: If authorities did search the cave unsuccessfully, the boys were probably lost for good except for their chance meeting with cavers. Cavers need to work on county authorities in cave areas to get them to call on cavers to help in cave accidents. The boys, so poorly equipped, are another example of cavers not involved with organized caving undertaking exploration in a way no organized caver would.